Hotel Manta of Helsinki is a hotel room built around the statue of Manta in Market Square. The space designed by Tatshu Nishi serves as a hotel room by night, and as an open exhibition space during the day. The work not only creates a new surrealist setting for the monument, it offers a new perspective on the statue. Manta can now be met at eye level; also privately during the nights, if you were able to book the room.
The project is produced by the Helsinki Art Museum and it is part of the Helsinki Festival programme. In cooperation with Museum of Finnish Architecture and Design Museum. The work is supported by The Cenetary Foundation of the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design.
As visiting times during Helsinki Festival are between 11.30 – 17.30, cleaning up must be made in hurry. The cost for visit is 3€.
Hotel Manta of Helsinki was opened on the 15th of August and waiting for the first customer must have been exciting.
Hotel room was sold out in a minute, which is not surprising. Being part of art work must be fascinating. And price for night is not expensive, 130€. But of course without breakfast, which you can enjoy after checking out for instance at Market Square cafes.
Because of daily visiting hours, check-in can not be before 18.00 and check-out has to be made before 11.00.
Windows without curtains ensure that statue of Manta is visible all the time.
The statue is in the middle of the hotel room and actually splits twin bed. It sort of stands between the pillows.
Let’s see what is the condition of statue of Manta after Helsinki Festival celebrations will end. They will take two months.
Behind the link is also web camera pictures from past days.
Reijosfood 
My friend in Helsinki has beenn following the progress and sen tme some photos. I think it is a great idea. I will be back in Helsinki in a couple of weeks to se it for myself.
It is brilliant idea and as it is in the centre of Helsinki many will see it
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